Regional

2:13 pm

Sun May 26, 2013

Colo. Utility Mulls Transmission Line Into NM

A Colorado utility has reached out to leaders in northern New Mexico about the possibility of running an electric transmission line from a substation north of Alamosa, Colo., to a site somewhere west of Taos.

But the Albuquerque Journal reports that the Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association's study area for project overlies the newly designated Rio Grande del Norte National Monument.

The possibility of a transmission line near the monument has alarmed those who are still celebrating its hard-won status.

Tri-State spokeswoman Sarah Carlisle says no route has been identified and said the association is in the earlier stages of its study.

President Barack Obama created the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument by proclamation on March 25.